Centre Director / Nominated Supervisor

at; Wollongong City Council; On-site; AUD 117,000 - 143,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Up to $130,000 salary plus super

Worker Retention Payment 15%

4-week induction

Birthday leave & wellbeing day

Wellbeing/fitness allowance

Referral bonus $1,000

Study allowance

Employee Assistance Program

Career progression

Job summary

Little Zak's Academy is seeking an experienced Centre Director to lead our Bomaderry service, focusing on people and culture. You will own centre direction, budget decisions, and drive high-quality practice in line with EYLF and NQS.

We offer a structured induction, clear leadership support, and a generous salary package with super and benefits. This role is ideal for an experienced Director or strong 2IC ready to step up and shape outcomes for families and staff.

Qualifications

• A Diploma or degree approved by ACECQA is required.
• Proven leadership and people-management experience preferred.
• Ability to drive occupancy, maintain service quality and family/community relations.

Responsibilities

• Lead the service and be accountable for overall centre performance.
• Build and maintain a strong team culture and develop educators/leaders.
• Drive high-quality practice aligned with EYLF and NQS and ensure regulatory compliance.
• Maintain strong relationships with families and the local community.
• Oversee budget ownership and decision-making to support outcomes.

Skills

Leadership

People management

Stakeholder management

Communication

Team development

Budget ownership

Education

ACECQA-approved Diploma or Early Childhood Teaching Degree

Job description

Up to $130,000 + super + generous benefits + WRP

Little Zak's Academy is privately owned and family run. Our aim is to provide early childhood care and education in a safe, welcoming, adopting and nurturing environment.

Our staff are dedicated professionals who value the importance of maintaining an optimum level of care and education for all children. We select our staff based on knowledge and values, vision for children and learning, and commitment to families.

This is not just another Centre Director role

This is an opportunity to lead our service in Bomaderry, a well-known, high-performing 130-place centre.

If you are an experienced Director, or a strong Assistant Director (2IC) ready to step up, this is your chance to take ownership of a centre that sets the standard across the business.

You will be supported from day one with a structured 4-week induction, along with ongoing guidance from an experienced leadership team.

About the Role

You are leading the centre, but your real focus is your people.

• Building and maintaining a strong team culture
• Developing your educators and leaders
• Driving consistent, high-quality practice aligned with EYLF and NQS
• Maintaining strong relationships with families and the local community
• Overseeing compliance, occupancy and overall centre performance

You will also have real autonomy in how you run your centre, including ownership of your budget and the ability to make decisions that support your team, families and service outcomes.

You are not just managing the day-to-day. You are responsible for the overall success and direction of the service.

Why Join Us?

• Competitive salary package well above award of up to $130,000 plus super, based on qualifications and experience
• We are proud to be part of the Australian Government’s Worker Retention Payment program. Eligible team members at Little Zak's Academy now receive an additional 15% on top of award rates. The Australian Government announced that the Worker Retention Payment program would be extended until 30 June 2028, continuing to support wage increases for eligible early childhood educators. Little Zak's Academy was one of the first approved providers nationally to participate in this initiative, ensuring our team could access these additional benefits from the commencement of the program.
• 4-week structured induction with established systems, strong foundations and supportive leadership
• Paid birthday leave and an additional wellbeing day each year for Centre Director (after 12 months)
• Health and wellness allowance reimbursing up to $50 per month (gym, pool, wellness memberships)
• $1,000 employee referral bonus for each successful referral
• Study allowance for your Early Childhood Teaching degree (T&Cs apply)
• Employee Assistance Program via Sonder, offering unlimited confidential counselling and wellbeing support
• Strong promote-from-within culture with long-term career opportunities

About You

• ACECQA-approved Diploma or Early Childhood Teaching Degree
• Previous experience as a Centre Director or Nominated Supervisor is advantageous
• Comfortable taking on the responsibilities of Nominated Supervisor
• Strong leadership and people management skills
• Sound understanding of EYLF, NQS, National Regulations, and compliance requirements
• Demonstrated ability to drive occupancy, team performance, and service outcomes
• Strong communication and stakeholder management skills

Little Zak's Child Safety Commitment

Little Zak’s Academy is a Child Safe Organisation. We prioritise the safety, wellbeing, and rights of all children and maintain a strong culture of child safety across our services. As part of our commitment, we have a rigorous recruitment and screening process in place, including comprehensive reference checks, Police checks and child-safe employment checks.

By applying for a role with Little Zak’s Academy, you acknowledge and agree to undergo all required child safety checks as part of our employment process.

We are an equal opportunity workplace where diversity is embraced. We foster a culture that supports inclusion and we encourage all qualified candidates to apply.

Little Zak’s Academy is privately owned and family run, with a strong commitment to participative, consultative and collaborative management. Our philosophy has been developed in consultation with staff and families, and we welcome visits, ideas and suggestions.

Early childhood is a significant period of our life during which the greatest brain development and growth occurs. It is a time when experiences influence attitudes, dispositions and learning. At Little Zak’s Academy our aim is to provide excellence in early childhood care and education in a safe, welcoming, adopting and nurturing environment.